The Bureau helps Glossop residents with digital tools and NHS App
A team of dedicated volunteers has helped hundreds of Glossop residents take control of their health through digital tools like the NHS App.
The Bureau’s Digital Healthcare Support Service has supported 700 people to overcome digital barriers and use online health services, over the last four years.
They have also supported the planning and delivery of events further afield in Derbyshire, including New Mills, Buxton and Ashbourne – these events were organised by local surgeries, PPGs and community organisations, supporting 63 people to access the NHS App and online services.
The Bureau, a Volunteer Centre in Glossop, aims to make it easier for people to use digital tools to manage their care while supporting GP practices in easing some of the pressures on their teams.
The service offers personalised support at drop-in sessions and gives one-to-one help and advice with tools like the NHS App or similar platforms. For those who need more time or a quieter setting, follow-up workshops are available to build confidence and skills.
The service helps people learn how to order repeat prescriptions online, book or request appointments without calling their practice, access medical records and test results, and manage long-term health conditions from home.
With 63 per cent of the eligible population of Glossop already registered for the NHS App, NHS Derby and Derbyshire is encouraging even more residents to download the app and take advantage of its many benefits.
“The NHS App is a game-changer for people, it’s quick, easy, and convenient,” said Emma Delany, Digital Health Lead at The Bureau.
“Our volunteers work directly with people to build confidence and skills, ensuring no one is left behind in the digital shift.
“Our service particularly focuses on helping people use health apps, with the goal of enabling easier and more convenient access to services at GP surgeries, without the need for phone calls or visits to the practice.
“Most people want to use digital tools, but when they get stuck, they often don’t say. A brief one-to-one conversation can unlock everything.
“It’s often not a tech problem, it’s a confidence problem. Many people think they’ve set up the app because it’s listed on their record, but often they’ve stopped partway through, or don’t know how to use it.
“One small bit of reassurance makes a lasting difference.”
The service is supported by a team of Digital Health Champions, trained volunteers who guide people through downloading and registering for the NHS App, setting up proxy access, and navigating online services. The programme is especially valuable for older adults, carers, and those with long-term conditions.
People who have used the service say it has made a real difference. One person said: “The person assisting me was a great help. I felt at ease immediately and the instructions were at a pace understandable to a person who sometimes struggles with technology and computer jargon. I’m now using the app to access my records, request appointments and order prescriptions.”
Another added: “I liked the informality of it all and didn’t feel like an idiot. Put totally at ease.”
The Bureau also offers a Digital Health Toolkit for GP practices, VCSE organisations, and Patient Participation Groups (PPGs), providing practical resources to promote digital inclusion.
Whether you want to order prescriptions, book appointments, or view your medical records, the NHS app makes it easier than ever to manage your health.
Visit the NHS website for set up guides, video tutorials and more information on how to get started.